[ad_1]
Amid various claims regarding a number of MLAs’ support, the two groups of the National Congress Party (NCP) are set to hold their respective meetings of their supporters on Wednesday.
NCP Chairman Sharad Pawar, his nephew and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar called his supporters to gather in Mumbai where all eyes are on the presence of MLAs at those meetings.
Both groups of the NCP issued a whip to the MLAs to attend the respective meetings. Jitendra Uhad on behalf of Sharad Pawar and Minister Anil Patel on behalf of Ajit Pawar on Tuesday evening issued the whips.
NCP President Sharad Pawar addresses his supporters after paying tribute to former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan at Karad on Monday. (PTI)
Ajit camp leader Praful Patil on Tuesday claimed that more than 40 MLAs are with them.
“We have already said that we have the support of over 40 MLAs. We have joined the state government as a party and not as a separate group. We are very clear about the fact that the majority of the legal aid agreements are with us,” Patel said.
The National Congress Party has 53 legal assistants in the Legislative Council. To avoid disqualification for breaking a limb whip, the Ajit group needs the support of two-thirds of its MLAs which is 36.
According to the Ajit camp, he had the support of 43 MLAs and a letter with references to the MLAs and affidavits were submitted to the governor.
However, two of the MLAs have already said that they are now with Sharad Pawar.
Another MLA, Kieran Lahamat, said on Tuesday he signed the letter believing his swearing-in had a silent blessing from the NCP chief.
“But after realizing that was not the case, I left Raj Bhavan,” he said.
However, he said that he would announce his final decision after interacting with the people of the department.
All the 44 MLAs belong to the NCP and the party has taken action against the nine who joined the ruling alliance, said NCP state chief Jayant Patil, who is affiliated with Sharad Pawar.
“All but these nine MLAs are from the NCP. They are not from any other group. They should not be threatened, they should not be given false promises and they should not be pressured.”
NCP state chief said all these organizations are ready to work under the leadership of Sharad Pawar.
Both groups are set to give a show of strength on Wednesday as the NCP chief meeting will be held at YB Chavan Center at Nariman Point while the Ajit group has announced the meeting at Bandra.
Leaders on both sides are busy summoning officials from across the state as well as from the various forward organizations of the party.
Sharad Pawar has already announced that he will be making an official party rebuilding tour and extended an invitation to the youth of the state.
This has made many from Ajit Pawar’s camp regret their decision and we are sure they will return. No one wants to mess with Sharad Pawar because everyone knows his strength when it comes to elections,” said Jitendra Uhad, who has been appointed by the NCP as the main leader in the legislature.
[ad_2]
